TWO student journalists from the University of Santo Tomas claimed the first prize in the 2nd ASEAN Youth Social Journalism Competition for their digital publication called “Juan Health PH.”

Medical Technology students Jefson Romeo B. Felix and Maria Rosario Isabel D. Seares launched the publication as part of their social journalism campaign “to empower and to provide Filipino communities with fresh, accurate and accessible information on public health across different social media platforms.”

Felix said the publication releases highly informative content in various languages and dialects such as English, Filipino, Bikolano, Hiligaynon and Bisaya in line with their advocacy to disseminate information to a broader audience.

“Nag-establish po kami ng isang youth-led organization that addresses community and public health dilemmas. We built (Juan Health PH) from scratch in just the one month grading period from June 6, 2021 to July 6, 2021,” Felix said.

“With 170 members across 12 regions, Juan Health PH is powered by youth journalists, artists, translators, and management staff to help uphold the truth in the new normal, and to amplify the voices of the Filipino people,” he added.

With the theme, “#ASEANYouth and Covid19 – Response, Recovery, and Resilience,” the competition recognizes creative campaigns that helped communities in ASEAN nations.

It was organized by the ASEAN Foundation, United States Agency for International Development and the Embassy of Ireland.